Reality show coming to Westmont

'BBQ Pitmasters' scheduled to film at barbecue competition in May

Lions Club members, from left, are Bob Fleck, Jim Addington and Ron Gunter. A reality show is scheduled to film a Westmont barbecue cooking competition in May. (Joseph Ruzich, Special to the Tribune)

A three-day barbecue competition in Westmont will include the filming of a popular reality cooking show.

The "Red, White & Bar-B-Q" from May 24-26 at Ty Warner Park will serve as the set for the filming of the Destination America program "BBQ Pitmasters," according to Westmont Lions Club members who sponsor the annual barbecue event.

Lions Club officials said the television program informed them about the filming in February. Four teams chosen by "BBQ Pitmasters" will compete for cash.

"It's quite exciting," said Jim Addington of the Westmont Lions. "I think they really want to film here because our barbecue event has really grown tremendously over the years."

Addington said this would be the seventh year of the Lions Club competition, which includes more than $10,000 in cash and prizes, live music, cooking demonstrations, a carnival and raffles.

Addington said the competition had grown from about 28 teams the first year to 68 last year. The competition is judged using guidelines from the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

While "BBQ Pitmasters" will be filming in Westmont, the show will include an outdoor set and will focus mostly on the four professional barbecue teams, Addington said. The top prize in the Lions barbecue event is $1,200, he said.

"People come from all across the country," said Addington.

He said teams are judged in several meat categories, including chicken, beef, ribs and pulled pork. The judges, who follow KCBS guidelines, make their decision based on the appearance, tenderness and taste of the meat.

Addington said many cooks marinate and cook the meat for days at low temperatures. Chefs who don't follow KCBS guidelines, such as using a wrong garnish, can be disqualified.

Addington, who was Westmont's mayor from 1993-97, said the owner of a local restaurant gave the village the idea for the barbecue competition.

Ron Gunter, president of the Westmont Lions Club, said the event helps raise money for the club. But after expenditures, he said, the club clears only about $1,000 annually.

"The main idea is for the club to get exposure and to give back to the community," Gunter said. "We are more of a working club than a check-writing club."

The Westmont Lions Club was founded in 1937 and is believed to be the oldest service club in the suburb. Gunter said its main objective is to help end blindness around the world, but it also works closely with the community to provide scholarships and support local sports teams.